Method for manufacturing an auxiliary antenna
A method is disclosed of forming on a moving surface an auxiliary antenna for an RFID tag. The method includes the steps of providing a webstock of polymeric material including a conductive film, conveying the webstock with the moving surface, and applying the conductive film to the moving surface in a shape corresponding to the auxiliary antenna. The moving surface may include cardboard in a roll manufacturing process. Depending on the thickness of the auxiliary antenna the step of applying the conductive film may include cold or hot stamping. Apparatus for forming an auxiliary antenna for an RFID tag is also disclosed.
1. A method of forming on a moving surface an auxiliary antenna for an RFID tag, said method including the steps of:
providing a webstock of polymeric material including a conductive film, said webstock of polymeric material including a release layer to facilitate release of said conductive film from said webstock; conveying said webstock with said moving surface;
applying an adhesive to said moving surface in a shape corresponding to said auxiliary antenna;
pressing said conductive film to said adhesive by means of a pressing roller such that portions of said conductive film adhere to said surface in said shape corresponding to said auxiliary antenna; and
pulling said webstock from said surface such that said adhered portions of said conductive film peel away from said webstock leaving said portions adhered to said moving surface in said shape corresponding to said auxiliary antenna.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said moving surface includes cardboard in a roll manufacturing process.
3. The method according to claim 2 including punching said cardboard surface into carton blanks such that said auxiliary antenna is positioned on a side panel of said carton and embossing each carton blank with fold lines, folding said blank along said fold line and assembling said blank into a carton.
4. The method according to claim 1 wherein said adhesive is applied substantially in said shape corresponding to said auxiliary antenna by means of an offset printing roller.
5. The method according to claim 1 wherein said adhesive is cured with ultra violet light.
6. The method according to claim 1 wherein said pressing roller includes a relief portion substantially in said shape corresponding to said auxiliary antenna.
7. The method according to claim 1 wherein said adhesive is cured by means of application of heat.
8. The method according to claim 1 including applying an RFD tag over said auxiliary antenna wherein said RFID tag includes a tag antenna, and wherein said RFID tag is applied over said auxiliary antenna such that it is electromagnetically coupled with said tag antenna.
9. The method according to claim 1 wherein said conductive film includes a layer of a first conductive material including aluminum.
10. The method according to claim 9 wherein said conductive film includes a layer of a second conductive material including copper.
11. The method according to claim 1 wherein resistivity of said conductive film is substantially in the range of 0.05 to 0.1 ohms/cm and wherein relative thickness of said first and second layers of conductive material is in the range of 25% to 75%.
12. The method according to claim 1 wherein said conductive film includes a layer of an insulating material and said insulating material includes a layer of varnish.
13. The method according to claim 12 wherein said insulating varnish is colored.